Macro Art

About Macro Art

The second Photo Project of the IGPOTY calendar is Macro Art. This is a chance to capture the world of plants and gardens on a completely different scale, utilising a unique set of macro photography skills. From the life of tiny insects, to the mesmerising shapes and swirls of flowers, you are encouraged to explore our green planet close-up through macro photography, whilst showcasing the beauty and complexity of nature.

Judges will look for the extraordinary. Challenge their understanding of both macro photography and the flora and fauna which inhabit green spaces.

Please note, Single Entries are judged and are eligible for the photo project awards and prize money. However, any Portfolios entered will be judged as part of the main IGPOTY Portfolios post October 31st and may qualify for that prize and associated RPS medals/certificates.

Insights

For this Photo Project, macro photography is all about detail, but not just in the traditional sense. Winners of this category display a keen sense of contextual detail and how and why focusing on certain parts of the subject help communicate a unique story, feeling or mood. This Photo Project then hopes to keep pushing the genre of macro photography as it relates to garden photography with highly original and thought-provoking images.

Wider benefits

Macro photography demands not just spot on technique but a highly creative outlook that broadens the way you approach subjects. It’s also an opportunity to get artistic, bold, bright and really carve out your own style. What’s great about macro photography and the Macro Art Photo Project is that you get to push boundaries yet still create images that have wide public appeal, media value and strong all-round traction. The scope of macro photography as it relates to garden photography is also very wide ranging, so it’s also a fascinating introduction to the genre if you're just starting out.

Prizes & Why should I enter?

Prizes

1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Book 13 Signed individual certificate Your image goes on tour in the travelling exhibition!

Third prize:

Single Entries Only:

1 x prize copy of IGPOTY Book 13 Signed individual certificate Your image goes on tour in the travelling exhibition!

Entry benefits

Exposure, international press coverage, one of the world's most prestigious photographic categories for macro photography, opportunities for growth and feedback, become a stakeholder in conservation, cultivate your skills, reinforce or launch your photographic career, push creative boundaries, develop a unique style

Rules

General rules:

You may not submit watermarked images with your name or website visible on the photo. Please do not frame your images with borders.

Entrants may submit a maximum of 4 images per single entry token and a maximum of 6 images per portfolio entry token.

For free-to-enter competitions you should enter 1 image per token given, upto a maximum of 8 images (8 tokens).

Entrants' images must be .jpg or .jpeg format and of high enough quality.

We recommend all images are output to 1920px on their longest side at 72 ppi. Any larger than this and you are supplying images bigger than they will be seen or used by IGPOTY judges; your files will take longer to upload and/or download to judges and viewers’ screens.

The absolute maximum for each image must not be more than 7MB in file size and no more than 3000px on their longest side.

All entrants must be able to supply a high-res image (300dpi) suitable for printing/exhibiting should the image be shortlisted. You may be asked for this when the time comes. We can help you with this if need be.